2007 SXSW Film Panels

The Future of Non-Profit Film
In the future of film and filmmaking, non-profit organizations around the country seek a better way to offer support. But what about the support that these very companies must have to stay afloat. An important discussion, on the methods which filmmakers and non-profit film groups can learn to make a difference with one another.

Finding Funding
How do you pay for your film?This is perhaps the most daunting and important question to every filmmaker, but there is no one clear answer. Come talk with producers, developers and grant-writers about the various ways you can find the money you need to make a movie. Find that funding, because the funding won’t accidentally find you.

New Dogs, New Tricks: New Media Goes to the Movies
It’s a “dog eat dog” world in the media business. And, now that filmmakers and the film industry are catching up to what online businesses have known for a while -- how can they make the most of it all? Does the Internet open up even more avenues for film producers and directors? Or, are there just as many limits?

Mentor Session: Screenwriters
Have a screenplay that’s collecting dust? Are you stalled at figuring out how to start that first draft? Maybe you want to understand how you can work with screenwriters to make the best possible film? These experts will show you how. Registrants are invited to sign up for 15-minute slots with each mentor, on the morning of the sessions.

Mentor Session: Producers
What secrets does the producer hold, from pre-production to distribution? Learn some of the ways to perfect the relationship between “producer” and “production.” Registrants are invited to sign up for 15-minute slots with each mentor, on the morning of the sessions.

Mini-Meeting: Publicity
Do you need a publicist? Maybe so, and maybe no. Come get some hands-on information about the modern role of the PR person, and how that impacts filmmakers today.

Mentor Session: Sales Agents
You have a film, but if you want it to be released, you have to know how to sell it. This is where the sales agent comes in. Some of the best and brightest join together to speak about the various ins and outs of working with someone who is trying to get you a distribution deal. Registrants are invited to sign up for 15-minute slots with each mentor, on the morning of the sessions.

Mini-Meeting: Casting
Get the best advice for finding the best actors. Maybe you're an actor trying to find out what filmmakers are seeking. Some terrific indie film casting directors will meet to show you how.

Shooting Docs
From behind the camera and onto the screen, how does a filmmaker capture the best in documentary, during production? In the world of nonfiction filmmaking, you can’t afford to make mistakes. These experts of the craft can tell you how to ensure that you get it all on camera.

A Music for Film Roundtable
Finding the right music for your film can make or break a scene. Some scenes are defined by the very song or music in them. This roundtable will tell you the ins and outs of finding the right sound for the right money. Hosted by BMI.

So You Want to be an Entertainment Attorney
Law and film: they go together like great bedfellows. Some lawyers want to explore the world of movies, and vice versa. What is the best strategy to break into the world of entertainment attorneys? Meanwhile, how does a filmmaker make the most of their hourly charge?

Lonelygirl15: A Case Study
For months, thousands of people around the world were captivated by the daily video diary from an unknown teen-age girl. There was drama, romance, and comedy. But, in the early Fall of 2006, it was revealed that these video diaries were all a fabrication from the imagination of three artists. From obscurity to popularity on YouTube, the people behind LonelyGirl15 talk publicly for the first time, about their experiences with online filmmaking and the swirling questions of what’s real and what’s staged.

Tech Tools for Film Artists
The long hours in a smoke-filled editing room have been replaced with long hours hunched over in front of computer screen. HD filmmaking and other new technologies have opened the door to people to make their vision come to life without a big budget or big crew. Are the times passing you by? This roundtable will discuss what is available to today’s filmmaker and what can be expected tomorrow.

Mentor Session: Festival Programmers
Festivals and markets are as vital as ever, in today’s filmmaking scene. Learn what to do - and more importantly, what not to do - when it comes to festival submissions, festival attendance, and beyond. Registrants are invited to sign up for 15-minute slots with each mentor, on the morning of the sessions.

Mini-Meeting: Contracts & Unions
Sign on the bottom line. Keeping in accordance with the rules and regulations of the unions. It is all the behind the scenes technicalities that can drive a person insane. Find out what you need to know to have all your i’s dotted and t’s crossed.

Panel of the Dead: Horror Films of Today
Do you have taste for the bloody and scary? Low-budget horror movies are earning big bucks and making an impact on the movie scene. Moviegoers and studios are taking notice, and the horror genre is seeing some its greatest achievements (both creatively and commercially) this time around. AICN’s Harry Knowles will lead a discussion of today’s horror movies with those who know how to scare us. Also, director Eli Roth will share a sneak peak of his June release ‘Hostel Part II.’

Mentor Session: Distributors
Get some one-on-face face time with people who can decide whether or not your film makes it to a theater near you, or to your local video store. Registrants are invited to sign up for 15-minute slots with each mentor, on the morning of the sessions.

Epic Music for your Film on a Not So Epic Budget
Not everyone can afford to get that hit song in their movie. How can you find that right song for your film without breaking the bank?

A Conversation with: Richard Linklater
From co-founding the Austin Film Society in 1985, to winning acclaim with such releases as ‘Dazed and Confused,’ ‘Before Sunset,’ and ‘School of Rock,’ Richard Linklater is a true trailblazer. While he balances his career between independent films and studio releases, Linklater has never lost his ability to tell vital stories, and tell them in a highly regarded fashion. Come listen to some of the lessons Linklater has learned over his many years of changing the way we see and make films.

Theatrical Acquisitions
Wanna get acquired? For a filmmaker, having an acquisitions executive watch your work may be your best shot at a distribution deal, and actually making a profit on your film. But what does a distribution deal really mean, and how does it typically happen? Come see some of the primary figures in theatrical acquisitions speak about the ins and outs of being an acquisitions exec and what it takes to have your film sold, and what myths you should know about.

SAG, DGA & WGA: Getting to Know the Guilds
They are a very big part of the mainstream film business, and there is a lot of information about them everyone should know. It's the Guilds: Directors Guild of America, Screen Actors Guild, and the Writers Guild of America. Representatives of each will come together at SXSW for a session to explain and discuss the different services they offer both veteran and novice filmmakers.

From Script to Screen
The road between the conception of an idea to its translation onto screen is a long one. From the pen touching the paper to the cutting-room floor, there are an amazing number of steps that must be taken, and money that must be spent to complete a screenwriter's original vision. Find out from industry professionals when that road is one worth taking, and if it is, how that road is navigated.

Sex Scenes Stay Hard
Love scenes might be the toughest thing for a filmmaker, actors and crew to accomplish. Under play it, and the audience does not believe there is connection between the characters. Go too far, and you’ll get yourself a NC-17 rating. From behind the camera to between the sheets to behind the scenes, this roundtable will discuss what it takes to get that love connection on film and keep those scenes in the final cut.

International Documentary Trends
Having a good idea is great. But its even better when you know what broadcasters and distributors are looking for. And with money in short supply, there never was a better time to broaden your horizons.

Latino Filmmaking
Are we on the cusp of a new Latino wave in the entertainment industry? Recently ABC's Ugly Betty has become a runaway success and three Mexican directors (Guillermo Del Toro, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Alfonso Cuaron) have become a global force in cinema. Are Latinos in the US on the verge of a breakthrough? Various industry professionals share their thoughts on ethnicity and the entertainment industry and how their roles are affected and what the future might hold.

Docs on Broadband and Mobile: The Dawn of Reverse Distribution
Are broadcasters trying to seduce us back to the television screen by simply harnessing the marketing power of the internet and mobile devices? Or do they believe that broadband and mobile tv have a viable (read: profitable) future? And if so, how will all of this affect documentary producers?

A Conversation with: Morgan Spurlock
With his breakthrough feature film, Super Size Me, and his popular F/X reality series, 30 Days,’ Morgan Spurlock has made his mark on the creative world by trying to make a difference. What’s next for this multi-hyphenate, overnight mogul? IndieWIRE editor-in-chief Eugene Hernandez will sit down with Spurlock to discuss his influence on filmmaking and his new film ‘What Would Jesus Buy?’

Long Talks on the Short Form
For a variety of reasons, the short film is “back” in a big, bad way. Did it ever leave? Filmmakers and producers chat about the 2007 model for short-form artists, and the all-important question: “How do I make any money as a shorts filmmaker?”

Which Niche is Which?
Target audience? Focus groups? Platform release? Niche marketing? Which niche is which? If you know how to be savvy in making and marketing your latest film, odds are there is a profitable audience waiting for you. Listen to some of the folks who know, as they discuss the finer points in identifying the niche that works for your film, and how to get your work to them.

Building an Online Fan Base
With the click of a mouse, you can reach millions of fans without spending millions of dollars. Movies are now sporting their own MySpace pages and blogs during production. Fans and moviemakers can connect from all over the world. Is the online presence of movies the new frontier for filmmakers? How can filmmakers utilize the Web to promote themselves? And, most importantly, how does an online sensation not let his/her fans down?

Blogging About Film
Blogs have become some of the first things people read each and every day. Film blogs are no exception. The movie reporter/critic uses their blog as a way to connect to the movie fan. A trip to a film set, an experience at a screening or a great discovery at a film festival, can be posted in just a few minutes. This panel will discuss the grind and payoff of publishing online. And, how future bloggers and current filmmakers, can get the most mileage out of this powerful medium.

Rock Docs
What are the essential ingredients for making a great music documentary? Is it just about celebrities and their lifestyles? Or are audiences looking for something different and out of the ordinary, and, if so, how can a producer transform the mundane into something outstanding?

Finding the Narrative in Documentaries
A documentary film can take many shapes throughout its production. How does one craft the best story? How does a director work with the editing process to narrow down hundreds of hours of footage into a 90-minute masterpiece? It’s a challenge, even for the most skilled documentarian. Listen to some tips and war stories and crafting the best narrative in documentaries.

Don’t Blame Canada
What separates the United States and Canada is more than just a geographical border. This may be obvious, but in the landscape of filmmaking and other creative arts, there are some major divides between how things are done. There’s a lot to be learned, on both sides of the border, so hear from some leading Canadian film representatives about what we can learn from one another.

Ready for Prime Time: TV Comedy of Today
This ain’t your father’s TV comedy. Today’s best TV comedy is funny, edgy and satirical of the world around us -- all at the same time. The panel includes some of the most prolific and relevant voices working in comedy today: Rob Corddry (‘The Daily Show’ and star of FOX’s new comedy ‘The Winner’), Al Jean (executive producer of ‘The Simpsons’), Seth MacFarlane (executive producer/voice actor on ‘Family Guy' and 'American Dad' and executive producer of 'The Winner'.) Whether it’s poking fun at the day’s headlines or the unbound world of animation, making us laugh and making us think is a huge challenge. So whether you like to laugh or like to make people laugh, this panel will provide insight into the hardest thing in showbiz -- comedy.

The Future of DVDs
With direct-to-DVD releases and unrated copies of the latest Hollywood blockbusters, DVDs are a stable presence and an ever-growing means for studios to get their films to the public. Extra footage, commentary tracks and other bonus materials entice fans to spend their money on owning copies of their favorite movies. Where is it all headed for the big studios and the indie filmmaker? Plus, how is the DVD medium evolving to better suit the needs of both the industry and the audience?

Mini-Meeting: Texas Filmmaker Production Fund
The Austin Film Society’s Texas Filmmakers Production Fund has a ten-year history of supporting Texas filmmakers with cash, goods and services - $675,000 for 222 film and video projects at last count. TFPF recipients have shown their films at festivals like Sundance, Cannes and Toronto and have been nominated for Independent Spirit Awards. This year, TFPF will award $100,000 to Texas filmmakers. The Austin Film Society’s Director of Artist Services Bryan Poyser will be joined by director Chris Eska and producer Jason Wehling of the double TFPF recipient AUGUST EVENING, to take you through the application process step-by-step.

Mentor Session: Press
As a filmmaker, the press can be your best friend or your worst nightmare. Learn how to make nice. Or, if you’re an aspiring journalist, learn how to make a living. Registrants are invited to sign up for 15-minute slots with each mentor, on the morning of the sessions.

Mentor Session: Cinematography
The look and feel of any film, short or feature, can be made or broken by the job of the cinematographer. The director of photography is a powerful ally for any director. Listen to some of the best, as they explain their craft.

Mini-Meeting: Directing Actors
From prima donnas to first-time actors, getting the emotions and dialogue to leap off the page and onto the screen can be a daily grind for any director. A director strives to work in tandem with the cast to make the characters real and believable. What are the pitfalls to avoid? When is it too much directing? When do you use the soft touch or the iron hand?

Grindhouse 101
What is “Grindhouse” and why is it such a big deal all of a sudden? Writer/director Robert Rodriguez will talk about his new film with Quentin Tarantino, the April release ‘Grindhouse,’ as well as the history behind the “grindhouse” genre. After attending UT film school, Rodriguez scrapped together funds and brought us the cult classic ‘El Mariachi.’ He hasn’t slowed down. ‘Desparado,’ ‘The Faculty,’ ‘Spy Kids’ and ‘Sin City’ are just a few of his cinematic delights. Come here his latest batch of anecdotes.

A Conversation with: Bill Paxton
Bill Paxton’s films have run the gamut from ‘Aliens,’ ‘Weird Science’ and ‘Titantic.’ He has worked with such directors as James Cameron, Ron Howard and Walter Hill. He has also ventured behind the lens to direct his own work (’Frailty’). Sit down with film critic Christy Lemire as she speaks with Paxton after his induction into the Texas Film Hall of Fame and his upcoming projects.

Doc Politics As Usual
The political documentary never went anywhere, but with Presidential elections again on the horizon, it’s coming back in a bigger way than ever. And, as we all know, politics doesn’t just mean elections. We live in an age where documentary films can have an impact on policy, social awareness, and even a little reform. But, how much of an impact is really practical?

Sony Workshop

Doubletime: A Case Study
The people in front of, and behind, the camera for Stephanie Johnes’ new documentary, DOUBLETIME, will speak about the long and exciting process that it took to bring this special documentary to the screen. The documentary is the thrilling tale of competitive jump rope, as two factions face off for the first time. In the age of competition documentaries, how does a documentary filmmaker rise above the rest and showcase a truly original work? How does a documentary filmmaker get their vision on the screen? Get some war stories and words of wisdom, from this talented panel.

Diggers and The Ten: A Case Study
Two different feature films, one group of filmmakers in common. This year, will mark the theatrical release of DIGGERS and THE TEN, two unique independent projects that share some of the same stars and some of the same crew. They include: actors Paul Rudd and Ken Marino, as well as producer Jonathan Stern. Listen in as these veterans of the independent scene share stories of bring their labors of love to the screen. Also included will be THE TEN director David Wain and DIGGERS director Katherine Dieckmann. What was it like, shooting two very different films with some of the same players? And, for Wain and Marino, what has the transition from comedy-troupe performers (on MTV’s The State) to acclaimed filmmakers, been like?

One-on-One Mentor Sessions & Mini-Meetings

One-on-One Mentor Sessions

It's always easier when you can put a face to the name. That's the method behind the annual Mentor Sessions at the the SXSW Film Conference. Attendees are invited to sign up for 15-minute sessions with a series of industry experts. It's the perfect opportunity to get some hands-on advice about the film business. It will allow everyone a chance to network, make contacts, and gain practical advice about navigating the film business.

Mini-Meetings

Mini-Meetings are SXSW Film's most intimate and hands-on panel sessions. Come and learn the nuts and bolts of filmmaking, publicity, contracts, and more from a collection of industry experts.

SXSW Film Panelists 2007

Aaron Simpson JibJab Media Inc

Aaron Woolf King Corn

Adam Zucker Greensboro: Closer to the Truth

Agnes Varnum agnesvarnum.com

AJ Schnack Gigantic (A Tale of Two Johns)

Al Jean The Simpsons

Alex Smith Ranchwater Productions

Alison Willmore IFC

Allen Bain The 7th Floor

Amparo Garcia-Crow Inspirit Studios

Amy Dotson IFP

Andrea Meditch Discovery Films

Anne Chaisson HDNET Films

Anne del Castillo American Documentary/POV

Anne Hubbell Kodak

Ben Stambler Magnolia Pictures

Beth Sepko Beth Sepko Casting & 3rd Coast Extras

Bill Paxton Banner Entertainment

Blake Snyder Blake Snyder Seminar

Brad Abramson VH1

Brant Rose Brant Rose Agency

Brendan McFadden Quiet City

Brent Hoff Wholphin

Brian Newman Renew Media

Bryan Poyser Austin Film Society

Catherine Tait iThentic

Chris Eska Doki-Doki LLC

Chris Gore Film Threat

Chris Hyams B-Side Entertainment

Christian Zak Technicolor

Christopher Black Starz Entertainment Group

Christy Lemire Associated Press

Damian Hagger vMix.com

Dan Cox Running With Arnold

Darren Giles CustomFlix Labs Inc

Darren Goldberg Atlantic Pictures

Darrien Gipson SAGIndie

David Dinerstein Lakeshore Entertainment

David Gale MTV New Media

David Garber Lantern Lane Entertainment

David Hudson GreenCine

David Poland Movie City News

David Straus Without A Box Inc

David Todd Eyespot

David Wain The Ten

Donovan Peermusic

Doreen Ringer - Ross BMI

Dorian Spackman LogicaCMG

Doug Pray Big Rig

Dustin Smith Roadside Attractions

Eamonn Bowles Magnolia Pictures

Edward Stencel Lonely Seal Releasing (LSR)

Eli Roth Hostel 2

Elizabeth Avellan Troublemaker Studios

Elliot Lavine Lavine Inc

Eugene Hernandez GMD Studios/IndieWire

Evan Fleischer IFC

Evan Shapiro IFC

Evyen Klean Neophonic Inc

Frank Cappello He Was a Quiet Man

Frank Reynolds N/A

Gabriel Wardell IMAGE/Atlanta Film Festival

Genna Terranova The Weinstein Company

Gill Holland sonaBLAST! Records

Graham Taylor Endeavor

Greg Goodfried Lonelygirl15

Greg Rhem HBO

Gregory Slewett Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP

Hank Blumenthal Schematic

Harry Jay Knowles Ain't It Cool News

Heather Collier Collier Talent Agency

Helen Sam ITVS Independent Television Service

Ian Schafer Deep Focus

James Finn Panavision Dallas

Jamie Patricof Confessions of a Superhero/Hunting Lane Films

Jared Moshe Sidetrack Films

Jason Janego Magnolia Pictures/Landmark Theatres

Jason Meil Current TV

Jason Wehling Doki-Doki LLC

Jay Brannan Shortbus

Jeff Beal He Was a Quiet Man

Jeffrey Abramson Gen Art

Jenn Kuzmyk C21

Jennie Punter Globe and Mail

Jennifer Price Canadian Consulate General

Jessica Edwards MurphyPR

Jim Miller Brave New Foundation

Jo Edna Boldin 505 Studio Works LLC

Joe Leydon Variety/MovingPictureBlog

Joe Swanberg Hannah Takes the Stairs

Joel Heller Docs That Inspire

John Anderson Windswept/Hunnypot

John Buckman Magnatune

John Cameron Mitchell Shortbus

John Pierson Grainy Pictures

Jon Larson Directors Guild of America

Jonathan Marlow GreenCine

Jonathan Stern The Ten

Joseph Amodei Hart Sharp Video

Julie Goldman Cactus Three

Karina Longworth Netscape

Katherine Dieckmann Diggers

Katy Chevigny Big Mouth Films/Arts Engine Inc

Kay Schaber Writers Guild of America West

Ken Marino The Ten

Kendall Rhodes Cherry Road Films

Kevin Collins Microsoft

Kyle Henry Cinepraxis Productions LLC

Lance Weiler Workbook Project

Lauren Moews Borderland

Laurent Rejto Woodstock Film Festival

Linda Dowell SAGIndie

Lindsay Crain Picturehouse Films

Lisa Thrasher ITTY BITTY TITTY COMMITTEE

Lisa Vandever CineKink

Liz Manne Duopoly

Lizzie Martinez Freelance

Lupe Valdez Acclaim Talent/Anteros Films

Macky Alston Hard Road Home

Marc Halperin Magic Lamp Releasing

Mark Ankner Endeavor

Mark Rabinowitz The Rabbi Report

Marla Halperin Magic Lamp Releasing

Mary Ann Thyken ITVS

Matt Feury AVID

Maxyne Franklin Britdoc/Channel 4 British Documentary Film Foundation

Mesh Flinders Lonelygirl15

Michael Burns The Documentary Channel

Michael Ruggiero Starz Entertainment

Michael Saleman Law Offices of Michael Norman Saleman

Michael Taylor Blackbird

Michelle Byrd IFP

Mike Akel SomedaySoon Productions

Mike Curtis HD For Indies

Mike DesRoches Sony Electronics Inc

Mike Mills Does Your Soul Have a Cold

Mike Tucker 'The Prisoner, Or: How I Planned to Kill Tony Blair/Red Envelope Entertainment

Miles Beckett Lonelygirl15

Miranda Bailey Ambush Entertainment

Mirko Whitfield TvFormats Ltd/SXSW Staff

Morgan Spurlock What Would Jesus Buy

Mychal Wilson MindFusion Law Corporation

Nicole Barnette Fourteen

Orlando Luna Apple Inc

Patrick Davenport Image Metrics

Patrick Kwiatkowski Microcinema Intl

Paul Harrill Lovell Films

Paul Stekler University of Texas

Peter Goldwyn Samuel Goldwyn Films

Peter Howell The Toronto Star

Peter White TBI

Petra Epperlein 'The Prisoner, Or: How I Planned to Kill Tony Blair/Red Envelope Entertainment

PJ Bloom Neophonic/Hunnypot Unlimited

PJ Raval unraval pictures

Rana Joy Glickman Shakrah Films

Rebecca Campbell Austin Film Society

Reginald Harkema Monkey Warfare

Richard Linklater Detour Filmproduction

Rick Caine Manufacturing Dissent

Rick DeVos Spout LLC

Rob Corddry The Winner

Robert Markovich Starz Entertainment

Robert Rodriguez Troublemaker Studios

Robert Wilonsky HDNet/Dallas Observer

Roger Kass RingTheJing Entertainment Ltd

Ron Mann Sphinx Productions

Scilla Andreen IndieFlix

Scott Glosserman Behind the Mask

Scott Kirsner CinemaTech

Scott Shooman Sony Pictures Entertainment

Scott Weinberg eFilmCritic Networks

Sean Farnel Hot Docs

Sejin Park New Line Cinemea

Seth MacFarlane Family Guy

Seth Nagel iKlipz

Sharon Lieblein Nickelodeon

Sky Sitney Silverdocs

Stephanie Johnes Doubletime

Stephen Nebgen The Law Offices of Stephen Wade Nebgen PLLC

Steven Beer Greenberg Traurig LLP

Thom Powers Toronto International Film Festival

Tim McCanlies N/A

Todd McMullen Flip Flop Films

Tom Koch WGBH International

Tom Quinn Magnolia Pictures

Tracy Fleischman Brave New Foundation

Tracy McKnight RYKO

Tracy Mercer ClickStar Inc

Udy Epstein Seventh Art Releasing

William Kruse IFP Minnesota

Winston Emano David Magdael and Associates

Yesenia Garcia NALIP